Perfection is not of this world ... 1

I bought the Nikon D5100 this summer, after much hesitation. This choice is a compromise, and in the end I have not really had any surprises, except a slight disappointment with the quality of the lens (sharpness).
Argument No. 1 right now D5100 is its value. Indeed, for a more complete case (D7000 or D7100) must be added at least 50% of the price, or even double in the case of D7100. Ditto if we turn to Canon 600D with 18-135 200 is still more expensive, so for me outside the budget.

So be with the defects of 5100, the main being usability: firstly, I have pretty big hands, my fingers are a little tense on the machine and try to reach the buttons without changing the grip is torture. Nothing to do with the film on which I started there 20 years ... Well, nexagérons anything either, I get to use it. Also, always in terms of ergonomics, Nikon is really stingy with buttons: You want to change the ISO switch to burst, change the white balance and AF mode? There is a dedicated button on the 600D, but the nikon so go to the "i" menu, and even if you arrive on the desired wheel icon will not be of any help, you have to enter the sub -menu, choose using the directional button, confirm with OK ... meanwhile went about you drink coffee or sun set ;-). Note that the 600D has exactly the same number of buttons (counting the directional pad), like what it would be possible to exploit better all that, so I think Nikon's focus is to justify the purchase of a limiting D7100 and the D5100.
Another major flaw: the 18-105 VR (thus stabilized) has a very average dive. Do not expect to very precise images at full aperture, especially in image edge. And stabilizer ... does not stabilize much compared to my "bridge" Sony and the other goal I have for the D5100, a tamron. But somehow it seems that the targets set are often of poor quality, so the 18-105 keeps his advantage, namely its "range" (it does not stop at 55mm like other kit objo). And its mini price, of course.
That said, at the time buy a 50 mm bright, I note that in canon 100 it costs less! The price difference is then compensated somewhat. A word ...

I'll still go to the qualities of the D5100, as it has of course:
- With a good lens, the image quality is excellent, nothing to say, even rising slightly in the ISO (say ISO 1600 grand max, after it gets paint over the photo :-) ).
- It is very reactive, it is never going to "wait": start, focus, burst even in RAW recording, it goes fast! Except of course live view.
- 1080p 25fps HD video mode + autofocus: it's good for an SLR, but the autofocus is loud, it's not a camcorder.
- There are still way to program 2 buttons to quickly change the ISO (or others if you prefer such as white balance or shooting mode) and to store the show (and / or placing in focus).
- Active D-Lighting mode is a (unclogs shadows).
- Ditto for the HDR mode (to activate each shot in the menu ... No way to make 2 on grmblrblrblr!)
- The housing is quite light, is so widespread that easy to find accessories (remote control to 10, screen protector, battery compatible) and others think it's a beautiful community.
- It can control remote flashes (not tested ...)
- Good autonomy: I rarely recharge the battery (screen set to minimum, and no course liveview)
- Nikon ViewNX2, software provided with, is a first step into the world of very simple and quite effective RAW.
- Interval: the camera takes a photo every x hours / minutes / seconds from this time ... nice to do "time period"!
- The Help menu ("?" Button) are clear and complete enough, a + for beginners.
- Some will appreciate the special effects (gadget, but on occasion why not) and rotating screen for video.

CONCLUSION:
If you are a true beginner, you can buy the D5100 eyes closed, for its unbeatable value for money (except perhaps by the D3100?) And the fact that auto mode while it is also used easily that compact: compose, press! You have scene modes (Night Portrait, etc.) and using that come to assist you. And you can progress slowly if you like, by reading articles on the internet. The D5100 is the quality (relative) without headaches.

If you think a user quickly become "advanced", study the canon 600D (for its ergonomics, + it offers the live histogram while with the Nikon it was after the picture is taken, outrageous! + Can having a "grid" on the screen in LiveView mode to better compose the image), you quickly buy a 50mm f1.8 and the additional cost will be amortized in relation to D5100 + 18-105 + 50mm f1.8 G (the 50mm f1.8 F, cheaper, will not autofocus on the D5100, take the "G" for this or have a motorized box D7000 style), or better yet go to the upper range (at Nikon: D7000 or D7100, Canon I do not know). After, if like me you have neither the budget nor the patience to save and wait another year, it will be the D5100 and then that's it!